Flash-light apparatus



(No Model.)

G. T. SHIRAS. FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS.

No. 536,790. Patehted Apr. 2, 1895.

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TE TATE GEORGE T SHIRAS OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLAS H-LI G HT APPARATUS.

513EGIRICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,790, dated April2, 1895.

Serial No. 499,320- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE T. SHIRAS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented or discovered new and useful Flash-LightApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings,which make part of this specification,Figure 1, is a perspective of my apparatus with lid raised, and aportion of the side and end broken away, showing trigger in position tofire. Fig. 2, is a central longitudinal section of Fig. 1, showinghammer driven forward and explosion about to take place. Fig. 3, is anenlarged section of the flash light powder box and support for same.Fig. 4, is a like section with Fig. 3, but showing the ordinarymagnesium powder box with fuse connection to explosive; Fig. 5, an underplan of the box with supporting pins broken off, and Fig. 6, is a detailof trigger and push pins.

In daylight photographic art the detective or instantaneous cameras havemade possible results that could not be obtained by the cumbersometripod instruments which required time to adjust, and with which nosecrecy was possible. The use of these detective cameras at night hasbeen embarassed by the want'of a portable quick firing flash lightapparatus.

Prior to my invention the usual method in actual use among photographersof producing artificial illumination for photographic purposes was tothrow magnesium powder, ordi. narily by air pressure, into the flame ofan alcohol lamp. The lighting of an alcohol lamp and the injecting ofthe powder into the flame involved delay and publicity, besidesrequiring virtually two sets of apparatus, and one fed by liquidmaterial not always accessible nor easy to carry. Another and moreprimitive way of producing a flash light was by igniting a box of flashlight powder by means of a fuse or tuft of guncotton running through orunder the magnesium powder. The magnesium powder here was contained in abox like the ordinary pill box and this box in firin g rested loosely ona piece of abroken plate or other equally crude support. This lattermethod also produced slow firing, afforded no security of position forthe powder box and there was danger of the discharge flashing in theface of the operator.

movement of this button.

The present contrivance is intended to give to cameras designed forinstantaneous use, the same desirable features for night use,

- which they already possess for daylight photography. Furthermore, Iprovide a safe and convenient receptacle for carrying and burning flashlight powders, Whether the ignition be produced while the apparatus isheld in the hand, or by securing the apparatus to some stationary objectand firing at a distance by means of a cord or equivalent deviceconnected with the trigger. I also preferably but not essentiallycombine with the same a lid which acts both as a reflector for the flashand a shield for the operator, when fired in the hand.

In the accompanying drawings which make part of this specification, 1,is the box proper containing the operative parts. I prefer to make thisof japanned tin. The inside may be enameled or painted white to add tothe reflection as well as the lid and wings. The lid 2, I prefer to makewith folding wings 3, 3, which increase the size of the reflector andshield. The lid has a suitable snap 4 to engage with catch 5 on box. 24,is aspring to hold lid vertical when up. Upon the bottom of the box Isecure by screws a bed plate 6 which carries a sleeve 7, in which movesa firing pin 8, actuated by spring 9.

10, is a button bywhich firing pin is drawn back. The sleeve is slottedto permit of the The firing pin is notched at its rear end at 11, toengage with the catch of a spring trigger 12.

13, is. a push pin extending through the side of the box and looselyconnected with trigger.

14 is a safety catch to prevent premature explosion.

15, is a stud or forward end of spring trigger to which may be attachedcord 16, when distance firing is desirable. At the forward end of bedplate ti and in line with firing pin 8, is the support 17 for flashlight powder box. This support is recessed to receive an explosive cap18. Y

20 is the flash light powder box having opening in bottom to receiveflash from explosive. I prefer to put gun cotton 21 in bottom of box to.make the ignition quicker and more uniform. I also prefer to use a metalbox for the flash light powder and when the opening is made in thebottom the flaps of metal are inclosing box may be used.

turned back as ears a, a, seen in Figs. 3 and 5. The support 17, hashorizontal pins, 22, 22, which slip under these ears a, a, and hold thebox in position.

To prevent the scattering of the powder, I prefer to use a loose tray 23by the backedge of which the powder is kept from scattering rearwardly.

lVhen the ordinary pasteboard box with a fuse is used the box may bepierced by the pins 22, 22, and the fuse brought in contact with theexplosive as seen in Fig. 4.

I prefer the apparatus as seen in the drawings, but the followingmodifications may be made: The wings on the lid, or even the entire lidmay be omitted. Catch 13 may be omitted. When used for long distancefiring, or even under some other circumstances, the bed plate 6 may beunscrewed from the bot tom of the box and secured to any support and thebox entirely dispensed with by using screw holes 25, 25. \Vhen held inthe hand the cord 16 and stud 15, may be omitted. Instead of sleeve '7any depression in the bottom of the box or any guide may be substituted.Tray 23 can be taken away. Numberless equivalent devices for securingthe powder box aside from the pins and ears may be used. The form andshape of the powder boxes may be widely varied. For instance, a powderbox extending the full width of the Powder boxes may be made of anymaterial and with or without covers. The Scovill d: Adams magnesiumcartridges may be used. I prefer however to use a metal box with a lidto avoid spilling when carrying, and then remove the lid when firing.Bed plate 6, can be omitted and firing pin and box support be directlyin bottom of box. The position of the explosive relative to the powderbox may also be changed, as it would be possible to put it on the sidesthereof or even above. The spring trigger may be indefinitely modifiedand the spring therefor. The firing pin being drawn back cocks itself.

To use the apparatus, all that is necessary is to throw up the box lid,remove the lid of powder box, if of metal, and if the trigger has beenpreviously set, push in pin 13. If the safety catch is used this must bepreviously raised, or the trigger may not be set until occasionrequires.

For distance firing when the apparatus is not held in the hand, thesafety catch must be raised if used and the lid of the box proper raisedand the lid of the powder box removed if of metal. Either of the aboveoperations will require only a few seconds to perform, and thereforemakes the use of the camera well nigh as instantaneous at night as inthe daytime.

By the aid of my apparatus, the detective camera may be used at night,or in dimly lighted premises to accomplish results heretofore diflicultof accomplishment and often impossible. Yet, while specially designedfor instantaneous work indoors and out, it can be so adjusted as to beconveniently used in ordinary flash light photography, or for any otherpurposes requiring a flash light.

Briefly then it is claimed that this inven tion serves the followinguseful purposes: first, the production of a compact and safe receptaclewherein the metal box when closed contains the complete flash lightapparatus and powder for use therein, and when opened for use possessesno superfluous parts but all contribute to the different functions shownin the designs or drawings; second, when loaded and primed can be drawnfrom the pocket and fired in half a second, before the purpose of itsuse could be divined; third, can be used in streets or alleys at night,for the most difficult and dangerous detective work or equally well ininteriors, whether in the cellar or garret or in hallways, doorways,porches, in ware houses or vehicles or anywhere and everywhere thatfancy or design suggests; fourth, by setting the extra spring triggerand affixing the apparatus to a support, may be tired at any distance orit may be so set as to be exploded involuntarily by any person passingwithin a given distance of the apparatus, thus making possible importantphotographic results without either fatigue or danger of detection tothe photographer.

Having described my invention, 1 claim- 1. The combination of a box; aflashlight powder box contained in thesame; an explosive in closeproximity with said powderbox; means for firing said explosive and a lidto said first named box, to act as a reflector and shield when thrownup.

2. The combination of a box; a flash light powder box contained in thesame; an explosive in close proximity with said powder box; means forfiring said explosive and a lid having folding wings, to act as areflector and shield When elevated.

3. The combination of a box; a support in said box for a flashlightpowder box; said powder box having an opening in the bottom and ears onsaid bottom and pins extending from said support to slip through saidears.

The combination of a box; a removable bed plate in said box having aguide for a spring actuated firingpin; said firing pin; an explosive inthe line of movement of said pin and a flash light powder box inproximity to said explosive.

5. The combination of a box; a flash light powder box contained in saidbox; a fuse extending from said powder box; an explosive in proximity tosaid fuse, and a spring actuated firing pin to discharge said explosive.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1894.

GEORGE T. Sl-IIRAS.

\Vitnesses:

WILLIAM BEAL, WILLIAM L. PIERCE.

